A 17-YEAR-OLD youth was last night charged with the murder of North Wales pensioner Mabel Leyshon.

The teenager, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will appear in court on Anglesey later today.

Investigation head Det Supt Alan Jones made the brief but dramatic announcement outside Caernarfon Police Station at 6.30pm last night.

He said: "A local Anglesey youth has this evening been charged by North Wales Police with the murder of Mabel Leyshon.

"He will be appearing in court tomorrow where a remand in custody application will be made.

"I am unable, at this time, to make any further comment."

The teenager was arrested at his home in Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, early on Tuesday morning. Late on Wednesday, magistrates at Holyhead Youth Court granted the police an extra 25 hours to hold him without charge.

The boy was charged yesterday, shortly before the deadline for that extension was due to run out.

Last night, the youth's house, which lies close to Mrs Leyshon's home, remained sealed off by police tape. The front door and some windows were screened off and a police car was parked outside.

Mabel Leyshon, a 90-year-old widow, was found stabbed to death and her body mutilated at her home in Llanfairpwll, Anglesey, on November 25.

Police found the body after a carer discovered a smashed rear window at the bungalow in Lon Pant and raised the alarm. Her heart had been cut out and two pokers placed in the shape of a cross near her feet.

The murder, described by police as "brutal and callous", sparked one of the biggest murder inquiries seen in North Wales.

The 60-strong murder squad have recently been questioning butchers and abattoir employees, although they insisted their inquiry was not concentrated solely on those involved in that industry.

Detectives even alerted the FBI and Interpol, and called in psychologists to help draw up a profile of the offender.

Mrs Leyshon was described by neighbours as being "independent" and kept to herself. She had no children.

Last week, the murder prompted an appeal from Age Concern for people on Anglesey to keep in contact with their elderly neighbours.

Before Christmas, a CCTV camera was installed near Mrs Leyshon's home to reassure residents, and police patrols were stepped up.